Weatherproof panel structure and method of making same



June 21, 193s. J. w. SHIELDS y WEATHERPROOF PANEL STRUCTURE AND METHODOF MAKING SAM 2 sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed May 10, 1935 INVENTR.W/SYZ z'eis gfoz ATTORNEY June 21, 1938. J. w. SHIELDS WEATHERPROF PANELSTRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME original Filed Ma'y 1o, 1955 2sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. 22 W. SZ'QZLZS, 6%@ d ATTORNE Patented June 21,1938 25,121,512

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEATHERPROOF PANEL STRUCTUREAND METHOD OFMAKING SAME .lohn W. Shields, Evansville, Ind., assigner, by

mesne assignments, to International Door Company, Evansville, Ind., acorporation of Illinois Original application May 10, 1935, Serial No.20,844. Divided and this application May 9, 1936, Serial No. 78,911

7 Claims. (Ol. 20-35) My invention relates broadly to panel struchavingweatherproof surface layers and a metaltures, and more particularly tolaminated panel lic molding adapted to seal the edges of the panel,structures having weatherproof, non-porous surwith sections of themolding having abutments face veneers, and a method of making suchpanels. formed in the outer surface thereof for mount- This applicationis a division of my copending ing glass plates in weathertightconnection there- 5 application Serial No. 20,844, led May 10, 1935,with. for Revolving door construction. Other and further objects of myinvention One of the vobjects of this invention is to proreside in theconstruction of laminated panel Vide an improved construction oflaminated panel structures as set forth more fully in thespecificastructure having weatherproof surface veneers. tion hereinafterfollowing, by reference to the 10 Another object of my invention is toprovide accompanying drawings, in which:

a laminated panel structure employing sheets of Figure 1 is a frontelevation of a panel structure metal, micarta, Formica, or of a phenolconembodying the several features of my invention; densation product, orother weatherproof, non- Fig. 2 is a horizontal` sectional View, on anen- 75 porous material, as the surface layer thereof. larged scale,taken substantially on line 2-2 of 15` Still another object of myinvention is to pro- Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a trans-vertical section taken onvide a laminated panel structure having a metal line 3--3 of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is a fragmentary secor composition, nonporous surface veneer andtional perspective View of a metallic molding havair passages disposedregularly throughout the ing integral inwardly extending fastening ribs;

` core structure to facilitate drying of the larn- Fig. 5 is a similarview of a metallic molding 20 i inated panel structure which is retardedby the having means for mounting a transparent plate non-porous natureof the surface Veneer. such as glass; Fig. 6 is a similar View of ametal- A further object of my invention is to provide lic molding havingmeans for confining a weathera laminated panel structure having a metalor strip; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a strip of compositionnonporous surface veneer and parresilient material showing a steelspring mem- 25 allel disposed air passages, in the core structure, berembedded therein; Fig. 8 is a horizontal which are open at their endsduring the consection taken on line 8 8 of Fig. '7; Fig. 9 is astruction of the panel to facilitate the escape horizontal sectionalview on an enlarged scale of moisture from the glue or other adhesiveused showing in detail the construction of another .'50 to bind thelaminations together. embodiment of the panel structure of my inven- 30A still further object of my invention is to protion; Fig. 10 is afragmentary horizontal secvide a method of building laminated panelstructional view showing the structure of a specially tures havingnonporous, weatherproof surface formed edge constituting a post embodiedin the layers, whereby the panels may be rapidly and panel structure;Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical PI; eiiciently assembled. View in thedirection indicated on the linel l-II Still another object of myinvention is to proof Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse secvide amethod of drying laminated panel struction taken on line |2-l2 of Fig.9; Fig. 13 is a tures having nonporous surface layers during thefragmentary sectional perspective view of the buildingthereof by ventingthe core structure to metallic molding on the edge of the panelporfacilitate the escape of moisture. tion shown in Fig. 9; and Fig. 14isa similar 4U A still further object of my invention is to proview ofthe metallic molding on the edge of the vide a construction of metallicmolding having enlarged panel portion shown in Fig. 10. extrudedportions thereon, forming interlocking The panel structure of myinvention employs joints with parts of a weatherproof laminated surfacelayers which are impervious to moisture 4.5` panel structure forinsuringa weathertight seal and weatherproof. The construction of laminatat theedges of the panel structure. ed panel structures having surface layerswhich Still another object of my invention is to prowill not permit theescape of moisture has here- Vide a construction of laminated panelstructure tofore been difficult and expensive because of the havingweatherproof surface layers, a metallic time required for completelydrying the panel molding sealing the edges of the panel, and a fleX-after the non-porous surface veneers have been 50`-` ible weatherstripmounted in the molding to glued in place. My invention provides a methodadapt the panel structure to constitute a weatherof building such panelstructures by venting the tight closure for a given opening. core inorder to facilitate the escape of moisture, Still another object of myinvention is to proand my invention further provides a finished vide aconstruction of laminated panel structure panel structure havingweathertight edges sealed 55" Vnon-porous surface layer.

- ture.

with metallic molding. The panel structure of my invention may beemployed in the construction of doors or other closures, in which caseprovision is made for mounting a weatherstrip in the molding on theouter edge of the closure panel, or for mounting a glass plate in amolding provided around an opening in the panel. The panel structure ofmy invention may also be employed in stationary wall structures, such,for example, as the segmental abutments of revolving doors, in whichcase also metallic molding of special form may be provided on the edgesof the panel structure. In one form of my invention, a post structure isprovided at the edge oi the panel integral with the panel structure byemploying an enlarged core section and extending.

the surface layer of the laminated panel structure over the enlargedcore section. A metallic molding is provided on the post structure toeffect a completely weathertight unit.

My invention will be more fully understood by reference to the drawingsin which the panel structure shown particularly in Figs. 1 3 comprises awood core having aligned sections 1 abutting edge to edge withlongitudinally extending ports 8 intermediate the junctions of theabutting edges of the sections 1, and forming Ventilating passagesthrough the panel structure. The Ventilating ports may be of any shapein cross-section, that is, round, square, or otherwise, and the purposeof the ports is to permit the escape of moisture from the wood coreafter the laminated sheets of material have been assembled over theopposite surfaces of the Wood core structure. In large panel sizes, theescape of moisture is a highly important problem, the moisture having totravel to the edges of the panel inasmuch as it cannot escape throughthe Ordinarily the moisture would have to travel from the middle of thepanel outward to the edge, which distance might well be as great as vefeet, whereas according. to my invention the moisture need travel only afew inches to the nearest air duct, through which it is rapidly carriedto the outside.

The wood core 1 thus equipped with a multiplicity of parallel extendingVentilating passages is provided with a plurality of surface laminationsextending on each side of the core struc- For this purpose, I may employsheets of Wood, metal, Formica, micarta, or sheets of a phenolcondensation product or other material. The laminated sheets of the sameor different materials are represented generally at 9, Ill and I-I, andI2, I4 and I5 on opposite sides of the wood core structure 1. The endsof laminated sheets are maintained in position with respect to the corestructure 1 in a very special manner by means of a metallic molding. Themetallic molding may be formed along one edge of the panel as indicatedat I6, with a curved face having side portions I1 coextensive therewithand inwardly directed extruded portions I 8 which serve as abutments forthe edges of the laminations in cooperation with the ller member I9. Theother edges of the panel may be provided with a metallic molding 29having coextensive side portions 2I which extend over the edges of thela-minations and which are provided with inwardly directed extruded lugportions 22 which serve as edge abutments for the laminations incoaction with the filler member 23. The molding 2U is provided with apair of parallel extending jaws 24 having recesses 24a therein forgripping the weather strip 25.

The weather strip 25 is shown more particularly in Figs. '7 and 8 ascomprising the resilient body structure 26 having a resilient embeddedcore 21 which serves to maintain the weather strip in a substantiallyupright position and allows the weather strip to function over arelatively long period of time. The resilient embedded core 21 isrelatively flat and is reduced in mass by reason of the apertures 21alwhich are stamped therein. Also, the apertures 21a allow resilientmaterial of the body structure 26 to be vulcanized around the resilientmetal insert 21. The resilient body structure 26 is provided with anenlarged longitudinally extending peripheral edge portion 20a. which isgripped in the recesses 24a formed in the parallel extending jaws 24.The ability of the weather strip shown at 25 to remain in a co-extendingplane with the panel insures a weathertight joint between the panel andany frame structure with which it may be associated.

A glass plate may be provided for the panel, as shown at 34, and securedwithin the plane of the panel structure by means of molding formed bycoaoting metallic members and 36. 'Ihe coacting members are illustratedmore particularly inFlg. 5. It will be seen that member 35 comprises ametallic molding having side portions 31 which engage the laminatedsheets on opposite sides of the panel structure. As shown in Fig. 3, themolding is secured centrally by suitable screws 38 passing throughapertures 39 in the molding to the wood core 1. The mold section 36 issecured to the core 1 and disposed in relation to the mold section 35 bymeans of screws 40 which pass through apertures 4I in mold section 36and apertures 42 in mold section 35 and are embedded in wood core 1. Thecoacting mold sections 35 and 36 serve to grip a rubber, felt, orputty-like core therein which serves as a seal against the seepage ofmoisture around the peripheral edges of glass plate 34. The assembly ofthe mold sections is extremely simple and the construction isinexpensive.

Panels constructed in accordance with my invention may be formed in arcsas shown in Fig. 9, and may be provided with metallic molding of anydesired conguration, adapted to seal the edges ofthe panel. The moldingshown on the edge of the panel in Fig. 9 and in perspective in Fig. 13comprises a plate member 55 including a central longitudinally extendingdove-tail groove 51 and a pair of formed edges 6I adapted to overlap theends of the outer laminations on the panel to retain in position andprovide a moisture-proof seal for the edge of the panel. Screws, showngenerally at 59 in Figs. 9 and 11, are provided to secure the molding 55to the panel. The molding shown applied to the panel in Figs. 9 and 11,and more particularly in Fig. 13, is a special form adapted to receive alocking member (not shown) which joins the molding shown with a similarmolding on an adjacent panel structure, as is more fully described in mycopending application Serial No. 20,844, of which this application is adivision. The panel shown in Fig. 9 comprises a core made up of sections43 having grooves in their abutting edges forming the passages 44.Laminations 46, 41, 48 and 49 are laid on the core structure, and thenon-porous surface veneers and 59 are laid on either side of the panel.Fig. l2, which is a vertical section between two of the core sections43, on line I2-I2 of Fig. 9, shows the Ventilating passage 44, andlarrows to indicate how the moisture is rapidly removed from even thecentral portion of the panel structure of my invention.

Fig. 10 shows a particular feature of my invention in the constructionof a post portion for the panel structure integral with ther panel. Asapplied to the panel structure of Fig. 9, the core sections 43 near theedge are enlarged in size (and a correspondingly larger Ventilatingpassage is provided) and formed into a post structure having an exteriorsurface joining smoothly With the panel. I provide a ller member at theedge of the post, and the outer laminations fili and 50 are extendedover the filler member 5 I. A metallic end plate 52 having extrudedprongs 53 and side engaging portions 5i is mounted on the exposed faceof the ller member 5I, the prongs 53 serving to anchor the plate 52 withrespect to the filler member 5l. The side portions 54 overlap thelarninations 45 and 5D and provide a weathertight, moisture-proof sealon the post structure. The construction of the end plate b2 is shownmore clearly in Fig. 14, from. which it will be observed, in View ofFig. 10, that no screws are required for securing the end plate withrespect to the post.

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, Ifully understand that modifications may be made in the construction andthe form of the panel structures disclosed, and I intend no limitationupon my invention except by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is as follows:

l.. A door panel comprising a core structure, sheets of laminatedmaterial secured to the opposite surfaces of said panel, a metallicmolding disposed peripherally of said core structure, and meansextending from said metallic molding entering said core structure, andforming abutments for the edges of said sheets of laminated material.

2. A door including a core structure, laminated sheets of materialextending over opposite faces of said core structure, a metallic moldingperipherally engaging said core structure, members extruded from saidmetallic molding and entering said core structiue forming edge abutmentsfor said laminated sheets of material, and members integrally connectedwith said molding extending in planes substantially parallel with thecentral axis of said core structure, and a resilient sheet ci materialgripped between said members whereby said resilient sheet of material ismaintained in a plane substantially coincident with the central axis ofsaid core structure.

3. Weatherproof laminated panel structure comprising a core structurehaving parallel extending ducts, a plurality of veneer layers attachedto both sides of said core structure, the surface veneers being ofnon-porous material, said ducts adapted to ventilato said core structurein the assembly of said core and said veneer layers, a metallic moldingfixedly engaging the periphery of said core structure, and membersintegrally connected with said metallic molding and extending over theedge portions of said non-porous surface veneers for preventing theseepage of moisture into said core structure.

4c. In combination with a laminated panel having an opening therein, ametallic molding having extruded members engageable with the outerlaminations on opposite sides of said panel, means for securing saidmolding to said panel on the periphery of said opening, a plate member,and means for mounting said plate member in said opening including aflange integral with said molding and projecting in the plane of saidmolding to provide an abutment for said plate member, said flange havinga recessed portion away from said plate member adapted to contain aplastic medium maintained in contact with said plate member, a ccactingabutment member separate irom said molding, and means for mounting saidcoacting abutment member in fixed position opposite said flange withsaid plate member therebetween.

5. The combination dened in claim 4, with said coacting abutment membercomprising an extruded U-shaped member having aligned apertures in theopposite flanges at spaced intervals along the length thereof, saidmember adapted to contain a plastic medium maintained in contact withsaid plate member, and to be mounted on said panel by screws extendingthrough the aligned apertures and into said panel.

6. A door structure comprising a frame section having a weatherproofsurface and weathertight edge moldings, a weatherstrip member secured inthe molding on free edges of said frame section, and ak rounded moldingadapted to seal the door closure on the supporting edge of said framesection.

7. Weatherproof laminated panel structure comprising a core structurehaving parallel extending ducts, a plurality of veneer layers attachedto both sides of said core structure, the surface veneers being ofnon-porous material, said ducts adapted to ventilate said core structurein the assembly of said core and said veneer layors, and non-porousmolding means mounted on the periphery of said core and engaged With theedges of said non-porous surface veneers in sealing relation forpreventing the seepage of moisture into said core structure.

JOI-1N W. SHIELDS.

